Envelop-fastener.



LG. KNURGK.

ENVELOP FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3. 191a.

Patented May 19, 1914.

avwudoz 70/272 G. [inure/i" wi/tueouo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN GEO. KNURCK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ENVELOP-FASTENER.

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To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN Gnonon KNURCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention provides a fastener intended chiefly for envelop and analogous wrappers, but which may be used to advantage for securing flaps and like closures of receptacles or containers adapted to receive sundry small articles.

It is customary to mail advertising mat ter, periodicals and merchandise in envelops which are supplied with fastening means for securing the flap without necessitating the securing of such flap by gum or other adhesive material, the purpose being to fasten the flap quickly and to provide for a ready opening of the package by the recipient.

The present invention provides a fastener of the nature aforesaid which is eX- tremely simple in construction, capable of being quickly and cheaply applied to the envelop or other article and which in operation will afiord security to the flap or closure and which may be easily manipulated both when fastening and releasing the flap.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the specification, Figure 1 is a rear View of an envelop provided with a fastener embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view, showing more clearly the relation of the parts when the flap is secured by means of the fastener. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, the full lines showing the relation of the parts when the flap is secured and the dotted lines illustrating the relation of the parts when releasing the flap. Fig. 4 is a detail perspec tive View of the fastener.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in-the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

In order to demonstrate the application of the invention an envelop is shown because Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 3, 1913.

Patented May 19, 1914. Serial No. 740,013.

the device is intended most especially for articles of this nature. The envelop illustrated is of ordinary construction and comprises a flap 1 and a back the latter having a slit 3 which is reinforced by means of a piece 1 secured thereto by means of an adhesive, said piece being of tough paper or textile according to the specific application of the invention.

l Vhile the fastener is designed chiefly to be applied to the [lap of the envelop or other wrapper or container it is to be understood that it may be applied to the body portion thereof, the flap having the slit.

The fastener consists of an elongated body 5 which is adapted to be secured at one end to the flap 1 or like part, said body having a tongue 6 at its opposite end and folded ears 7 at the base of the tongue, said ears being folded on oppositely inclined lines, which admit of the end portion of the fastener passing readily through the slit 3 when in the act of securing the flap 1 or like closure.

It is to be understood that the fastener may be secured to the flap in any manner and as shown prongs 8 are formed at the attaching end of the fastener and are clenched after passing through the flap or like part. The outer end of the tongue 6 is made rounding to prevent the formation of sharp corners and. to facilitate the entrance of the tongue into the slit 3. The ears 7 constitute a part of the body 5 and are folded so as to lie against or near the rear side of the body 5. It is preferred to have the ears 7 spaced a short distance from the rear side of the body so as to engage the part of the back 2 bordering upon the upper side of the slit 3 and thereby prevent accidental disengagement of the fastener by a direct pull. The upper corners of the ears 7 project slightly above a straight line passing through the upper ends of the folds and this is of advantage since it admits of such proj ecting parts engaging the material bordering upon the upper edge of the slit 3.

When the fastener is in position an end portion projects beyond the flap 1 and is adapted to have its terminal portion pass through the slit 3, the parts being so related that when the flap is made secure the ears 7 will clear the upper edge of the slit 3. Any tendency of the flap to open by a movement in a plane substantially parallel with the envelop causes the upper parts of the ears 7 to engage the upper edge of the slit 3. \Vhen it is required to release the fastener a finger of the hand is introduced between the flap 1 and the back 2. This causes the upper edge portions of the ears 7 to clear the slit 3 so that the end of the fastener may slip readily therefrom. To secure the flap it is necessary to introduce the tongue 6 into the slit 3 and press the flap close against the back 2. This causes the tongue 6 and the folded ears 7 to pass through the slit 3, thereby securing the flap, which can be released only by moving the flap away from the back in the manner herein indicated and as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily ap parent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claim appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

A fastener of the character set forth comprising a member having a slit and a second member consisting of a thin elongated body provided at one end with attaching means and having a centrally disposed tongue at its opposite end to pass through the slit of the cooperating member and formed with ears at the inner end and edges of the tongue, said ears being folded against a side of the body upon oppositely inclined lines to form correspondingly inclined shoulders, the inner corners of the folded ears being spaced from the body and projecting beyond a Straight line passing through the inner ends of the folds to provide means for engaging the companion member at one side of the slit therein.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J OHN GEO. KNUECK.

W'itnesses:

CHARLES D. GALLAGHER, J OHN J. MASON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

